Our Staff

MusEco staff have many years of experience in teaching, production, speaking and writing for publication. Each have Masters of Education degrees and a variety of skills and experience that support the mission and goals of MusEco as well as provide the organization with administrative expertise in the areas of marketing, development and finance.

Our Executive Director

Kris earned a bachelors degree with a triple major in Art History, Anthropology and American Indian Studies. After graduating, she gained professional experience in development and fundraising. Later, she received her Masters of Education degree with a concentration in Environmental Philosophy and Informal Education and has worked in the fields of journalism and sustainability education since that time.

Kris has extensive experience producing content for a variety of media formats, including radio, television, print and online. Her primary specialty area is environment (particularly sustainability, religion, humanities, land conservation, business and general interest). She also specializes in visual arts and the issues and culture of indigenous peoples of north America. She also has a strong interest in ethnomusicology.

Kris has taught as adjunct faculty in the Environmental Studies department at MSU-Billings and served for over 5 years on the board of the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness Foundation ...and much, muchmore!

Our Education Director

Scott Prinzing, M.Ed.Director of Education and Coordinator of Music and Native American Programs

Scott earned a bachelors degree in American Indian studies. Before and after graduation, Scott worked in education, legal services and the building trade. After several years, he returned to school to acquire a Masters of Education degree with elementary teaching certification. In 2016 he completed his certification as a Library Media Specialist and began working as a school librarian. He has worked for two decades in formal and
informal education, while also continuing his career as a music journalist and as a performing musician.

Scott's interest in broadcasting began in childhood but was first realized in the '80s when he worked as a regular DJ on his college's radio station. Over the years he has continued to pursue this interest.

Scott's music journalism work included writing the local music column for over 8 years for the weekly paper "The Billings Outpost." As a writer, Scott has long maintained a special professional interest in Montana music. For several years he wrote regularly about Montana's music and musicians in a variety of regional glossy magazines. He produced the popular weekly radio program "Montana Muse" on Yellowstone Public Radio for three years and the interview program "In Tune" for two years prior to that.

In 2007 Scott was retained by Montana's Office of Public Instruction to write a curriculum guide on Native American music with a special emphasis on Montana's Native American musicians. Since that time he has done numerous in-school presentations and teacher trainings on the topic and is now able to give this presentation as a member of the Humanities Montana Speakers Bureau, as well.

Scott recently contributed a chapter to Indigenous Pop (University of Arizona Press) and authored a video project about Montana's Native American musicians with Montana's Office of Public Instruction (find out more on our Native American Music page!). He is also a member is currently working on a book for young people about contemporary Native American rock music.

Our Board

MusEco has a small but excellent board that offers guidance and wisdom to staff. Our chair is a founding member of the MusEco Board of Directors, and our Vice Chair has been with MusEco since 2004. Our board members have exceptional academic and professsional backgrounds and a variety of skills, including extensive board experience, to offer MusEco.

Dr. Walt Gulick

Dr. Walt Gulick: Professor Emeritus of Philosophy, MSU-Billings. Walt Gulick travels and teaches widely and has a deep personal and academic interest in environment related matters. Walt is also very active in the arts. Walt is one of MusEco’s founding board members.

Joni Seeley

Joni Seeley: Land and property appraiser, Billings. Joni works in the appraising profession and has a lifelong interest in music. She organized and promoted a widely acclaimed concert series of folk artists for a few years in Billings, and worked for many years in Texas engaging and promoting folk artists in a nationally known venue.

Kris Prinzing

Kristen Prinzing: Kris is the Executive Director of MusEco Media and Education Project.

Frank Kuehn

Frank Kuehn : Accounting professional, Billings. Frank has worked in the accounting profession for many years and also currently serves as the treasurer of Northern Plains Resource Council and of the Yellowstone Valley Citizens Council.

Dr. Sarah Keller

Dr. Sarah Keller: Assistant Professor of Communication, Department of Communication & Theatre, Montana State University-Billings, Billings, MT. Dr. Keller's teaches principles of public relations, case studies of public relations, research methods, applied communication research, and health communication. She is involved in the study of the use of media in behavior and attitude change.

Ian Elliot

Ian Elliot: Ian is deeply involved in the Billings performing arts community, has been the director of Arts Partners Unlimited for over 17 years and is the Project Coordinator for the Montana Center for Disabilities. Ian is a musician, actor, event organizer and promoter and a Brain Injury survivor with a Master of Science in Vocational Rehabilitation and Counseling.